October 15, 2020
St. Cloud campus expansion complete
St. Scholastica has completed a $1 million expansion of learning spaces for its nursing students.
The construction project, which doubled the College’s educational space, was completed this summer in time to welcome students back for the fall semester. As on the main campus in Duluth, St. Scholastica’s fall semester classes started on Sept. 8.
The construction project enhanced technology in existing classrooms and added a nursing simulation center with multiple acute care and ambulatory care rooms, break-out rooms for student pre-briefing and post-briefing sessions, and a common room for faculty. A new 36-seat classroom is being used for nursing classes as well as St. Scholastica’s education program and other offerings.
The new space also includes nursing skills labs on the first floor and simulation labs on the second floor. The flexible high-tech spaces can simulate a variety of care settings, from a home care scenario to a hospital room or clinic, providing rich hands-on learning experiences for students.
“These newly renovated spaces are providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for our nursing students,” said Sheryl Sandahl DNP, Dean of the School of Nursing. “They’re providing the simulation experiences that are so crucial for nursing students today. In the few months that they have been in use, these facilities are already getting rave reviews from our students and faculty members.”
Faculty, staff and students are following a variety of COVID-19 protocols to keep the community healthy. All classrooms have been configured to allow for physical distancing, and are thoroughly cleaned daily. Masks or face coverings are required on campus, and students and staff members must comply with physical distancing requirements.
St. Scholastica’s St. Cloud campus offers a mix of on-campus and online courses, primarily in undergraduate and graduate nursing. The College has been offering programs in St. Cloud since 2002. Plans are being made for an open house event to celebrate the renovations next spring.
